Palace releases adorable photo showing just how much Prince George has grown

At the tender age of six, it is unlikely Prince George can fully comprehend the big role that awaits him in the future when he becomes king.

But the palace has released two photos which show just how quickly the third-in-line to the throne is already growing up.

In the first, taken to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday in 2016, the youngster - then-three years old - poses in smart blue shorts while standing on a block to stay in shot.

Prince William and Kate Middleton’s eldest child grins animatedly beside the monarch, his dad and grandfather Prince Charles.

The second portrait, shot last month to mark the start of the new decade, shows George much taller - and requiring only a red-carpeted step this time.

With his 71-year-old grandfather’s hand resting on his shoulder, the boy - this time wearing tartan trousers - smiles next to his 93-year-old great-grandmother and his 37-year-old father.

Both images, which are intended to show the direct line of succession, were taken by photographer Ranald Mackechnie

It comes as royal fans were left delighted when the palace recently released photos of the young prince making Christmas puddings.

In images shared on Instagram ahead of the festive break, George could be seen mixing ingredients in a bowl with the Queen, Charles and William.

The group of four - who, as well as the monarch, make up those who are first, second and third-in-line to the throne - joined forces at Buckingham Palace to launch a charity initiative by The Royal British Legion.

A post on the @kensingtonroyal account incorporated a carousel of three images - including two showing the Duke of Cambridge’s son getting stuck in as the more senior royals gave directions, and one featuring them joined by members of the organisation which supports the armed forces.

The pictures were captioned: “Four generations of the Royal Family together at Christmas.

”New photos of The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and Prince George have been released as part of the launch of the @RoyalBritishLegion’s ‘Together at Christmas’ initiative.

Since being shared, the post has already received hundreds of thousands of ‘likes’ and thousands of comments.

One person wrote: “Super cute!!!!”

Another commented: “Lovely photo.”

A third shared: “So so amazing!!!”

And a fourth added: “Gorgeous natural photo.”

Words by Lauren Clark

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